U.S. patent application number 11/199878 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-15 for multi-exercise apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Johnson Health Tech Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Daniel C. Finn, Clinton S. Myers.
Application Number | 20070037674 11/199878 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37743233 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070037674 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Finn; Daniel C. ; et
al. |
February 15, 2007 |
Multi-exercise apparatus
Abstract
A multi-exercise machine includes a frame, a resistance system,
a seat connected to the frame to be movable from a first seat
position to a second seat position, and an inclined post inclined
in a selected direction. The configuration of the present invention
provides the multi-exercise machine with a movable seat to create
more space for correct ergonomic posture of a user in a standing
position. The configuration of the present invention also provides
the multi-exercise machine with an inclined post to enable correct
ergonomic postures of a user in a sitting position. The present
invention enables a user to perform a variety of exercises in both
sitting and standing positions.
Inventors: |
Finn; Daniel C.;
(Janesville, WI) ; Myers; Clinton S.; (Jaiding,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATRICIA SMITH KING
P O BOX 5266
MADISON
WI
53705
US
|
Assignee: |
Johnson Health Tech Co.,
Ltd.
Taichung Hsein
TW
|
Family ID: |
37743233 |
Appl. No.: |
11/199878 |
Filed: |
August 9, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/97 ;
482/99 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2225/09 20130101;
A63B 21/156 20130101; A63B 21/4045 20151001; A63B 21/0628 20151001;
A63B 23/1209 20130101; A63B 2208/0233 20130101; A63B 2225/093
20130101; A63B 2208/0204 20130101; A63B 21/00047 20130101; A63B
21/4043 20151001; A63B 23/1281 20130101; A63B 21/4035 20151001;
A63B 23/03533 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/097 ;
482/099 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/08 20060101
A63B021/08; A63B 21/062 20060101 A63B021/062 |
Claims
1. An exercise machine comprising: a frame having a base supported
by a floor surface; a resistance system mounted on said frame to
provide training resistance to a user; and a seat connected to said
frame having a first seat position and a second seat position
wherein said seat is movable from said first seat position in which
a first exercise is operated by said user in a sitting posture to
said second seat position in which a second exercise is operated by
said user in a standing posture.
2. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein an actuating
force required moving said seat from said first seat position to
said second seat position is designated to overcome a friction
force between said frame and said seat.
3. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 2, said resistance
system further comprising a weight stack positioned on said base; a
plurality of pulleys mounted on said frame; at least a gripping
handle; and a cable system routed around said plurality of pulleys
having a first portion engaged to said weight stack and a second
portion connected said gripping handle.
4. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said seat is
substantially vertically pivoted to said frame in a direction
related to said floor surface.
5. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a
fixed plate connected to said seat having two apertures
therein.
6. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a
brace connected to said frame; and a locking pin attached to said
brace to position said locking pin into one of said apertures of
said fixed plate.
7. An exercise machine comprising: a frame having a base supported
by a floor surface; a resistance system mounted on said frame to
provide training resistance to a user; and a seat connected to said
frame to be movable from a first seat position in which a first
exercise is operated by a user to a second seat position in which a
second exercise is operated by said user wherein said seat further
comprises a reference plane which is substantially parallel to said
floor surface when said seat moved from said first seat position to
said second seat position.
8. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 7, said resistance
system further comprising a weight stack positioned on said base; a
plurality of pulleys mounted on said frame; at least a gripping
handle; and a cable system routed around said plurality of pulleys
having a first portion engaged to said weight stack and a second
portion connected said gripping handle.
9. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein said second
exercise is operated by said user while said user is in a sitting
condition.
10. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein said seat
is horizontally slidably connected to said frame in a direction
related to said floor surface.
11. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein an
actuating force required moving said seat from said first seat
position to said second seat position is designated to overcome a
friction force between said frame and said seat.
12. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein said seat
is pivoted to said frame.
13. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein said seat
is substantially vertically pivoted to said frame in a direction
related to said floor surface.
14. An exercise machine comprising: a frame having a base supported
by a floor surface; a weight stack positioned on said frame; a
plurality of pulleys mounted on said frame; at least a gripping
handle; a cable system routed around said plurality of pulleys
having a first portion engaged to said weight stack and a second
portion connected said gripping handle; and a seat pivotally
connected to said frame through a pivoting axis to be movable from
a first seat position in which a first exercise is operated by a
user to a second seat position in which a second exercise is
operated by said user wherein said pivoting axis is substantially
perpendicular to said floor surface.
15. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 14, wherein said
second exercise is operated by said user while said user is in a
standing condition.
16. An exercise machine comprising: a frame having a base supported
by a floor surface and at least a inclined post extending upward
from said base; a plurality of pulleys mounted on said frame; at
least a gripping handle; a cable system routed around said
plurality of pulleys having a first portion engaged to said weight
stack and a second portion connected said gripping handle; a seat
connected to said frame; and at least a sliding assembly slidably
connected to said inclined post to relocate said gripping handle
from a lower position to upper position wherein said sliding
assembly is moved at a horizontally backward distance from said
lower position to said upper position.
17. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 16, wherein said
sliding assembly includes a positioning handle and at least an exit
pulley pivoted to said positioning handle.
18. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 17, wherein said exit
pulley is in back of the shoulder joint of a user in a sitting
condition while said sliding assembly located at said upper
position.
19. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 17, further comprising
a seat pivotally connected to said frame through a pivoting axis to
be movable from a first seat position in which a first exercise is
operated by said user to a second seat position in which a second
exercise is operated by said user wherein said pivoting axis is
substantially perpendicular to said floor surface.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] This invention relates to an exercise apparatus, more
particularly to a multi-exercise machine which enables a user to
perform a variety of exercises in both sitting and standing
positions.
[0002] Single function exercise machines have been developed for
several decades. It is common for an exercise club to arrange
different single function exercise machines for users to perform
different exercises. With a trend of home exercise, it is not
proper for home users to arrange different single function exercise
machines in their limited floor space. Some prior arts try to
disclose some multi-exercise machines in which a user can perform
different exercises without shifting to different single function
machines.
[0003] Some multi-exercise machine such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,612,
are designed to be performed by a user in a standing position. The
'612 patent discloses a multi-exercise machine comprising a general
upright, an elongated arm mechanism, and a cable interconnected to
a handle. In such a machine, a user can not perform a lot of
exercises which are usually performed by a user in a seated
position. Other multi-exercise machines such as US2003/0027696, may
have a seat connected to a multi-exercise machine for a user to
perform some exercises in a sitting position. With the way the seat
is connected to the multi-exercise machine, a user has a problem
when he/she wants to perform exercises in a standing position
because the seat may interfere with some movements of the user. A
user needs to straddle the seat in order to perform some exercises
in a standing position. By straddling the seat, a user could be in
a wrong ergonomic posture because of an interference of the seat.
As a result, the existence of the seat could decrease the variety
of exercises possible using the multi-exercise machine.
[0004] Some multi-exercise machines such as US D502,515, try to
increase the variety of exercises in a sitting position by having
different frame configurations. For example, the configuration has
two uprights and two corresponding sliding handles for performing
different exercises while the handles are positioned in different
levels on the uprights. Because of the frame configuration of the
prior art, some exercises may be limited due to the frame
configuration, especially a user performing a biceps curl or chest
press in a sitting position.
[0005] For the foregoing reasons, there exists a need for a
multi-exercise machine having a simple configuration to allow a
user to perform a variety of exercises in both sitting and standing
positions.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present invention is directed to a device that satisfies
this need for a multi-exercise machine having a simple
configuration to allow a user to perform a variety of exercises in
both sitting and standing positions.
[0007] In the preferred embodiment, the exercise machine of the
present invention includes a base frame having an upright extending
upward from the base frame, a weight stack, a plurality of pulleys,
a cable system connected to the weight stack, a gripping handle
connected the cable system, and a seat connected to the frame to be
movable from the first seat position to the second seat
position.
[0008] One object of the present invention is to provide a
multi-exercise machine which enables a user to perform a variety of
exercises in both sitting and standing positions.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
multi-exercise machine with a seat to be movable from a first seat
position to a second seat position in order to create more space
for correct ergonomic posture of a user in a standing position.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
multi-exercise machine with an inclined post configuration to
enable correct ergonomic postures of a user in a sitting
position.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
multi-exercise machine with an inclined post configuration to
decrease interference between the elbow of a user and the exercise
machine while the user is in a sitting position.
[0012] The reader is advised that this summary is not meant to be
exhaustive. Further features aspects and advantages of the present
invention will become better understood with reference to the
following description, accompanying drawings and appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] For a better understanding of the present invention,
reference may be made to drawings, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bar assembly of the
present invention;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a seat assembly of the
present invention;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of
the present invention with a seat in a second seat position;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a
seat back assembly of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention while the gripping handle located in a lower
position;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention while the gripping handle located in a lower
position;
[0024] FIG. 11 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention while the gripping handle located in an upper
position;
[0025] FIG. 12 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention while the gripping handle located in an upper
position; and,
[0026] FIG. 13 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention with the seat in the second seat position.
DESCRIPTION
[0027] Referring now specifically to the figures, in which
identical or similar parts are designated by the same reference
numerals throughout, a detailed description of the present
invention is given. It should be understood that the following
detailed description relates to the best presently known embodiment
of the invention. However, the present invention can assume
numerous other embodiments, as will become apparent to those
skilled in the art, without departing from the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a multi-exercise machine of a
preferred embodiment is disclosed and designated by a reference
character 10. The exercise machine 10 comprises base frames 20 and
20' designed to be supported by a floor surface, a connecting frame
21 for connecting the base frames 20 and 20',and uprights 22 and 23
extending vertically upward from the connecting frame 21. The
exercise machine 10 includes inclined posts 24 and 24' respectively
extending upward from the base frames 20 and 20' and a connecting
frame 25 for connecting the upper ends of the inclined posts 24 and
24'. The inclined posts 24 and 24' are designed to be inclined in a
selected direction to create ergonomic advantage of a user when a
user is in a sitting position. The selected direction of the
inclined posts 24 and 24' will be described in detail thereinafter.
The exercise machine 10 includes a resistance system 40 comprising
a pair of guide rods 45 extending upward from the connecting frame
21, a weight stack 41 having a plurality of weight plate 411
slidably positioned between the guide rods 45 for providing
different levels of training resistance to a user, a plurality of
pulleys, and a cable system 42 routed around the plurality of
pulleys. A user can select desired training resistance by
relocating a locking pin, not shown but well known by people
skilled in the art, into a bayonet 38. It is known by people
skilled in the art that some alternative embodiments of the
resistance system 40 such as resilient rope system or eddy current
brake system could be also utilized for providing training
resistance to a user.
[0029] The exercise machine 10 of the present invention further
includes sliding assemblies 30 and 30' which can be relocated at
different locations along the respective inclined posts 24 and 24'.
The sliding assemblies 30 and 30' respectively comprise positioning
handles 32 and 32', sliding tubes 31 and 31' slidably mounted on
respective inclined posts 24 and 24', swivel brace 33 and 33'
pivoted to respective sliding tubes 31 and 31', pulleys 34 and 34'
fixed on the upper ends of the respective swivel braces 33 and 33',
and pulleys 35 and 35'fixed on the lower ends of the respective
swivel braces 33 and 33'. A user can relocate the assembly 30 into
different positions by releasing a locking pin (not shown) inside
the positioning handle 32, sliding the positioning handle 32 along
the inclined post 24, and fixing the locking pin into a selected
aperture 241 on the inclined post 24. With the design of the
positioning handle 32, a user can easily relocate the sliding
assembly 30 along the inclined post 24 by one-hand operation. The
sliding assembly 30' could be operated by a user by the same way as
the sliding assembly 30.
[0030] The exercise machine 10 comprises a seat assembly 50 and a
seat back assembly 60 attached to the upright 20. In a embodiment
of the present invention shown in FIG. 6, the seat assembly 50
comprises a seat 53 attached to a seat frame 52, a fixed plate 54
having apertures 542 and 544 attached to the seat frame 52, a brace
56 attached to a sliding tube 51 for supporting the seat 53 and the
seat frame 52, and a locking pin 512 attached to the brace 56 for
locking the seat 53 into different seat positions. The seat 53 is
pivoted to the sliding tube 51 through a pivoting axis 521 which is
substantially perpendicular to the floor surface. Therefore, the
seat 52 can be rotated into different seat positions along the
pivoting axis 521. While the seat 53 is rotated and the locking pin
512 is positioned into the aperture 542, the seat 53 is in a first
seat position as shown in FIGS. 1-4. In a same way, the seat 53 is
in a second seat position while the seat 53 is rotated and the
locking pin 512 is positioned into the aperture 544 as shown in
FIG. 7. In a preferred embodiment, the seat 53 has a reference plan
A therein as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The reference A has a fixed
angle related the top surface of the seat 53. The reference A is
substantially parallel to the floor surface while the seat 53 is
moved by a user from the first seat position to the second seat
position.
[0031] Another embodiment of the seat assembly 50 is that the seat
53 is slidably connected to the sliding tube 51 or the upright 22.
In this embodiment, the pivoting axis 521 is replaced by a pair
sliding members and a pair of substantial horizontal rails which
are adapted to support the sliding members for a substantial
horizon sliding movement of the seat assembly 50. In a potential
energy perspective, the potential energy of the seat 53 of the
present invention is substantially unchanged when the seat 53 is
moved from the first seat position to the second seat position. In
other word, a user only needs to apply an actuating force which is
for a purpose to overcome a friction force between the seat
assembly 50 and the upright 22 in order to move the seat 53 from
the first seat position to the second seat position. If the seat is
pivoted to the upright 22, the friction force is caused by the
cylinder surface of the pivoting axis 521. If the seat is slidably
mounted to the upright 22, the friction force is caused by the
surface of the horizontal rails. It is understood that the
actuating force is minimal and convenient for a user to move the
seat 53 from the first seat position to the second seat
position.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 9, the exercise machine 10 of
the present invention includes a cable 421 which is routed around a
series of pulleys 426-432 having an end 424 connected to a gripping
handle 43 (FIG. 9) and the other end connected to the sliding
assembly 30. A cable 421' which is routed around a series of
pulleys 426'-432' has an end 424' connected to a gripping handle
43' and the other end connected to the sliding assembly 30'. As
showed in FIG. 9, the exercise machine 10 includes a cable 428
which is first routed around a series of pulleys 434-437, then a
pulley 438 which is connected to the weight stack 41 and a series
of pulleys 434'-437'. The both ends of the cable 428 are connected
to a cable 441 which is routed around pulleys 439 and 440. The
cable 441 has an end 425 positioned in front of a footplate
211.
[0033] Now referring to FIGS. 9 and 11, the sliding assembly 30 is
positioned in different positions, a lower position in FIG. 9 and
an upper position in FIG. 11. The inclined post 24 is extended
upward from the base frame 20. It should be noticed that the
inclined post 24 is designed to be inclined in a selected direction
to create ergonomic advantage of a user when a user is in a sitting
position. In a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 9, the
inclined post 24 is inclined backward in an orientation of a user
in a sitting position. There are two symbiosis advantages of the
backward incline. Both the upper and lower positions of the sliding
assembly 30 are in their ergonomically correct positions. Because
of the backward incline, a backward distance L1 is created when the
sliding assembly 30 is moved from the lower position to the upper
position.
[0034] With the backward distance L1, the sliding assembly 30 is in
back of the shoulder and elbow of the user. That means the sliding
assembly 30 in the upper position could have an ergonomically
correct position when a user starting to operate an exercise such
as chest press or pectoral fly in a sitting position as shown in
FIG. 11. In a traditional upright post configuration which does not
incline the upright post backward, the sliding assembly 30 can only
have an ergonomically correct position in either the lower position
or the upper position. For example, the upper position of the
sliding assembly 30 could be too near the elbow of a user if the
upright post is designed to have a better ergonomic position while
the sliding assembly 30 is in the lower position. The backward
distance L1 can decrease interference between the swivel brace 33
and the elbow of a user when the user performing exercises such as
chest press or pectoral fly in a sitting position with the sliding
assembly 30 in the upper position. Because the swivel brace 33 is
pivoted to the sliding tube 31, the swivel brace 33 could be
swiveled forward when the cable end 424 is pulled forward. Although
the sliding assembly 30' can not be seen in FIGS. 9 and 11, it is
easy to understand that the sliding assembly 30' may have a same
character and operation as the sliding assembly 30.
[0035] FIG. 10 shows a front view of the present invention with the
sliding assemblies 30 and 30' respectively positioned in the lower
positions. It is shown that the inclined posts 24 and 24' extending
upward from the base frame 20 and 20' are inclined inward to each
other. FIG. 12 shows a front view of the present invention with the
sliding assemblies 30 and 30' respectively positioned in the upper
positions. With an inward incline of the inclined posts 24 and 24',
an inward distance L2 is created when the sliding assembly 30 or
30' is moved from the lower position to the upper position. The
inward distance L2 creates some ergonomic advantage for the user to
perform exercises such as chest press or pectoral fly in a sitting
position. The sliding assembly 30 is near the shoulder of the user
when the sliding assembly 30 is in the upper position and it is
comfortable for the user to grab the gripping handle 43. Because of
symmetric character of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the inclined post 24' and sliding assembly 30' have
similar or same configuration, operation and advantages.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 5, a gripping handle 43L is an
alternative embodiment of the gripping handles 43 and 43'. The
gripping handle 43L is in an elongated configuration having two
ends and an inner portion. The gripping handle 43L includes outer
connectors 431 respectively mounted on the ends of the gripping
handle 43L. It should be noticed that the outer connectors 431 are
rotatable around the gripping handle 43L. The gripping handle 43L
further includes inner connectors 432 which are also rotatably
mounted on the inner portion of the gripping handle 43L. In one
operation condition, the sliding assemblies 30 and 30' are
positioned in the highest portions of the inclined posts 24 and 24'
and the cable ends 424 and 424' are respectively connected to the
inner connectors 432. By connecting the inner connectors 432, a
user can perform an exercise such as a lat pull-down exercise. In
another operation condition, the sliding assemblies 30 and 30' are
respectively positioned in the lower positions of the inclined
posts 24 and 24' and the cable end 424 and 424' are respectively
connected to the outer connectors 431. By connecting the outer
connectors 431, a user can perform an exercise such as a low bar
curl shown in FIG. 13. Because the inner or outer connectors 431
and 432 are rotatably mounted on the gripping handle 43L, there is
no rotating toque produced on the gripping handle 43L. It is
smoother to use the gripping handle 43L disclosed to perform the
exercises mentioned above.
[0037] Now referring to FIG. 8, detail structures of the seat back
assembly 60 is disclosed. The seat back assembly 60 includes a back
frame 62 having several apertures 613 thereon attached to a seat
back 63, a sliding tube 612 having a locking pin 621, a sliding
tube 61 having a locking pin 611 attached to the sliding tube 612.
The back frame 62 is slidably mounted on the sliding tube 612.
Therefore, positions of the seat back 63 could be adjusted by
relocating the locking pin 621 into different locations of the
apertures 613.
[0038] Now referring to FIGS. 9 and 13, different exercises of the
exercise machine 10 are demonstrated. FIG. 9 shows a user in a
sitting position performing a sitting biceps curl exercise. It is
known by people skilled in the art that the exercise is not limited
to a biceps curl exercise. The seat 53 is currently in the first
seat position. The sliding assembly 30 is positioned in the lower
position and the gripping handle 43 is also in its respective lower
position. A user puts down forearms to grab the gripping handles 43
and then curls up forearms to overcome the resistance of the weight
stack 41 as the phantom line shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 13 shows a user
in a standing position to operate a low bar curl exercise. In a
conventional configuration of a seat unit, a user needs to straddle
the seat uint in order to perform an exercise in a standing
position. It is sometimes uncomfortable for a user to perform some
exercises in a straddling position. There is interference between
the seat unit and the user legs. With teaching of the present
invention, the seat 53 could be movable between the first seat
position and the second seat position. Therefore, a user does not
need to straddle the seat assembly 50 to perform some exercises in
a standing position and a user can perform some exercises in a
standing position without interference of the seat assembly 50.
[0039] Because the seat 53 can be pivotally connected to the
upright 22 and the pivoting axis 521 is substantially perpendicular
to the floor surface, the actuating force needed to rotate the seat
53 from the first seat position to the second seat position is
minimal. A user only needs to overcome a friction force caused by
the pivoting axis 521. It is easy and convenient for a user to move
the seat from the first seat position to the second seat position.
The reference plan A shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is substantially
parallel to the floor surface while the seat is rotated from the
first seat position to the second seat position. In other words,
potential energy of the seat 53 and the sear frame 52 is
substantial unchanged while the seat is rotated from the first seat
position to the second seat position.
[0040] In the preferred embodiment, the seat 53 is not occupied in
the second seat position but it is still under a scope of the
present invention if a user sits on the seat 53 in the second seat
position performing some exercises. In other words, the seat
assembly 50 disclosed in the present invention could be utilized in
a conventional multi-station exercise equipment. The conventional
multi-station exercise equipment usually has several separated seat
units in front of each station. With teaching of the present
invention, the seat assembly 50 could be mounted to the
conventional multi-station exercise equipment. The seat assembly 50
could be rotated into different stations for performing different
exercises. The seat assembly numbers can be decreased and it is
also highly cost efficient applying a rotatable seat assembly in
the conventional multi-station exercise equipment.
[0041] While the present invention has been described in connection
with what is considered the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to
the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various
arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest
interpretations and equivalent arrangements.
Closing
[0042] Although the present invention has been described in
considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions
thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and
scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the
description of the preferred versions contained herein.
* * * * *